Day -3: First Night of Cytoxan

Today's Dad Stats:
Most recent temperature: 98.0F
Most recent blood pressure: 112/58
White blood cell count: 13.54

Despite another night full of disturbances (vital signs were checked every 4 hours, and there were some problems with Dad's IV fluid pumps), we awoke relatively well-rested. We started the day by going on a walk around the hallway that impressed all of the nurses (I think we made it around the loop 10 or 11 times!), and then Dad settled down to eat a carb-alicious breakfast. He ordered oatmeal, pancakes, and a blueberry muffin! Since he really only feels like eating carbs, we talked to Melissa about ordering some Carnation breakfast shakes and Ensure pudding as well, to make sure that Dad maintains an adequate protein intake.

Dad and Dr. Salzman

When Melissa checked on us this morning she was surprised to see that Dad looked so good! Apparently the amount of Etoposide that Dad got yesterday affects most people much more strongly. Dad only had a little bit of nausea this morning, and he still has dry mouth and some fatigue. Dr. Salzman, who came by after lunch, was also happy to see Dad doing so well. Maybe it's because congress finally got the debt ceiling bill passed...

The mid-part of the day was relatively un-eventful, but around dinner time Linda (Dad's nurse for today) weighed him and noted that his weight was up 2kg. The quick increase is due to all of the IV fluids he has been getting. To prevent the side effects of volume overload, she started Dad on a low dose of dopamine.

Dad also got pretty nauseated around dinner time. I'm not sure if it was the consistency of the hospital turkey or the side effects of the chemo catching up to him that caused it, but after getting some Compazine he was still able to consume everything except for the meat. He's at the point where he really has to force down any food though, as nothing except for sugary items have any taste.

Dad has 5 pumps going tonight!

Did you notice that I haven't mentioned any chemotherapy drugs yet in this post? That is because Dad did not start Cytoxan today until 8pm. The reason for waiting so long to start it is that they try to give the patients a break to recover from the Etoposide. The major side effect we want to avoid with Cytoxan is hemorrhagic cystits, and to prevent that Dad was pre-medicated with a drug called mesna that will help to protect his bladder. Dad will probably have a pretty restless night, as he will be getting both the Cytoxan and dopamine.

Roberta was our nurse again tonight, and she got the complicated battery of medicines started without any problems. Then we watched one of my all-time favorite movies, Motorcycle Diaries, before going to bed.